HomeWork With TRNK: Head Back to Campus With Some Souped-up Back to School Basics

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Despite the dreaded end to summer, those of you headed back to campus have a lot to look forward to. Friends, parties, late-night intellectual banter—experiences designed to make those four years (or less at this point) some of your life’s best. Generally left off that list? Dorm room living. While there’s not a whole lot you can do about the shitty cafeteria food or your roommate’s loud snoring, there are a few small things that’ll make your room feel less like a prison bunk and more like home. Check out our list of six dorm room investments—items that’ll elevate your college home, but last far beyond the four years

Camp Blanket

As a student, sleep is a rare and precious commodity, not to be compromised by an uncomfortable bedspread. You should be tucking yourself to sleep in something warm, cozy, and of high quality—like a camp blanket from century old Faribault Woolen Mills. Made from 100% Merino wool, these blankets feel as good as they look, and actually get better with age. Plus, they’re washer-friendly for fool-proof cleaning. Trust us—the blanket will repay itself in both more sound sleep and compliments from overnight guests.

**Better Bath Towels **

Dorm bathrooms are certainly no spa retreat, but your skin still deserves a little TLC. Invest in a quality set of towels that are soft to the touch, and built to outlast your days in communal showers. We prefer Indian Khadi or Turkish Peshtemal varieties over traditional terry cloth towels. The waffle-woven fabric is super-absorbent, yet incredibly lightweight—they dry quicker and take up less room in the machine. Not to mention, they look more like nice throw blankets than mangy rags while hanging in your room.

A Good Reading

Lamp Like it or not, you probably have a few all-nighters ahead of you. Do your eyes a favor and invest in a good reading lamp. We suggest putting your money toward one you’ll want to take to your first apartment, rather than something you’ll eventually try to pawn off on some unassuming freshman. A swinging arm lamp is a good choice for bedside reading, while an industrial table lamp offers timeless style for your dorm room desk.

**Academic Art **

Your Animal House poster has reached its dying day. For a stylish wall display that’ll also motivate you to sit down and study, we recommend a series of academic-themed art prints. These hand-printed silkscreens of geometric equations and constellation charts make for bold and graphic wall hangings, while reminding you to get back on the grind. After all, Galileo didn’t discover the phases of Venus by twiddling his thumbs.

**Alarm Clock **

Your iPhone running out of juice won’t suffice as an excuse for sleeping through an exam. Always stay on task by keeping an alarm clock at your bedside. Choose a contemporary design that’ll look right at home in your eventual Bachelor pad—we’re guessing your days of early rising aren’t likely to end once you’re handed that diploma.

**A Good Cup of Joe **

Skip the lines at Starbucks, and start the morning off on a better foot. Try preparing your morning joe from your dorm room, so you can actually sit down and enjoy it. A quality drip is certainly possible with the right equipment—and in our opinion, coffee always tastes better in a proper mug, rather than from a paper cup with a scribbled, butchered version of your name on it.

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